Effect of acupuncture or moxibustion at Acupoints Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) on the change in lumbar temperature in healthy adults: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common complaint among adults, and moxibustion and acupuncture are commonly used treatments. In traditional theory, Weizhong (BL40) is a popular acupoint, as supported by the saying "Yao Bei Wei Zhong Qiu." However, the difference in efficacy between acupuncture and moxibustion remains unclear. Therefore, this trial will compare the thermal effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at BL40 and Chize point (LU5) in healthy adults to provide more objective evidence regarding the relationship between the lumbar and BL40. METHOD/DESIGN: The trial will use a two-by-two factorial design, randomly assigning 140 participants to four groups (acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40), acupuncture at Chize (LU5), moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40), and moxibustion at Chize (LU5)) at a ratio of 1:1:1:1. Each group will undergo a 30-minute intervention, with the primary outcome being mean temperature in the lumbar region at the last minute of the intervention period. Secondary outcomes include maximum lumbar temperature in the lumbar region at the last minute of the intervention, average lumbar temperature and average bladder meridian temperature at specific time points during and after the intervention, and scores on the warming sensation questionnaire. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to compare the thermal effect difference in the lumbar area between acupuncture and moxibustion in healthy individuals. The findings of this study will provide new insights for the "Yao Bei Wei Zhong Qiu" theory of traditional Chinese medicine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial number: NCT05665426. Registered on 26 December 2022.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cesarean delivery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture is a nonpharmacologic intervention for analgesia that is widely recognized as therapy for pain. However, the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery, determine the optimal frequency for the best analgesic effect, and explore the underlying mechanism of action. STUDY DESIGN: This single-center, randomized, single-blinded, sham acupuncture controlled clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in China. Female patients who underwent cesarean delivery and received fentanyl as patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia were enrolled. Patients were after surgery randomized to receive 2 Hz electroacupuncture treatment (n=53), 20/100 Hz electroacupuncture treatment (n=53), or sham electroacupuncture treatment (n=52) (controls). The 2 electroacupuncture groups received electroacupuncture treatment at 2 or 20/100 Hz at the ST36 and SP6 points, whereas, in the sham electroacupuncture group, sham electroacupuncture was performed at nonmeridian points with nonenergized electroacupuncture instruments. Of note, 4 electroacupuncture treatments were performed in all groups at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. The primary outcome was the number of analgesic pump compressions at 48 hours after surgery. The secondary outcomes included number of analgesic pump compressions at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery; pain scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery; fentanyl consumption at 48 hours after surgery; interleukin 6 and procalcitonin levels at 12 and 48 hours after surgery; and time to first exhaust. RESULTS: Overall, 174 primigravida women were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The number of analgesic pump compressions and pain scores at all 4 time points and fentanyl consumption at 48 hours after surgery were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture treatment groups than in the sham electroacupuncture group (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia had a significantly better analgesic effect than sham electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia within 48 hours after surgery. Thus, electroacupuncture can be considered safe and effective and may improve the efficacy of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for pain management after cesarean delivery. Electroacupuncture can be recommended as a routine complementary therapy for pain control after cesarean delivery.